Freeze Dried Gummies: The Crispy, Sweet Treats with a 25 Year Shelf Life

The Popularity of Freeze Dried Gummies

Freeze dried gummies have become an increasingly popular snack in recent years. What exactly are freeze dried gummies? How are they made? And what makes them such a tasty treat that keeps people coming back for more?

What Are Freeze Dried Gummies?

Freeze dried gummies start out as regular gummy candies, such as popular brands like Skittles, Haribo gummy bears, or any other gelatin-based fruit snack. These candies are placed into a freeze dryer, where through a process called lyophilization, the moisture is removed from the gummies while still preserving their shape and flavor.

The freeze drying process converts the gummies into a crisp, light and airy snack that closely mimics the taste and texture of their non-dried counterparts. But by removing the moisture, the gummies' shelf life is dramatically increased to up to 25 years when stored properly.

The Lyophilization Process

During lyophilization, gummies are frozen at temperatures below -40 degrees Fahrenheit. By freezing the snacks first, the moisture inside becomes solid ice crystals. The gummies are then placed into a strong vacuum, lowering the pressure to allow the frozen water inside to turn from solid to gas, even at below-freezing temps. This moisture dissipates from the gummy candy through a process called sublimation.

The lack of moisture makes it nearly impossible for deterioration or spoilage to occur. It also gives the gummies a lighter, crispy texture reminiscent of other popular crispy snacks. But unlike potato chips or pretzels which lose flavor shortly after opening, freeze dried gummies maintain their taste and color vibrancy long-term when stored properly.

Benefits of Freeze Dried Gummies

There are many reasons freeze dried gummies have amassed dedicated fans:

• Their long shelf life makes them the perfect snack to bring hiking and camping or to stash in your emergency food supply.
• The crispy texture gives you a nice satisfying crunch with each bite.
• They satisfy a sweet tooth but with less sugar and fewer calories per serving compared to regular gummies.
• Their portable size and mess-free nature makes them ideal for lunch boxes or enjoying on the go.

Enjoying Freeze Dried Gummies

Part of the fun of freeze dried gummies is their sheer novelty - they look like regular gummies but once you pop one in your mouth and experience the crisp, sweet crunch you're hooked! Here are some serving ideas for freeze dried gummies:

On Their Own

Just open your bag of freeze dried Skittles or other gummies and enjoy them by the handful straight from the package! It's important to note that because all the moisture has been removed, freeze dried gummies can stick to teeth a bit more than regular gummies. Make sure to drink water to help wash remaining bits down and keep your mouth hydrated.

On Top of Ice Cream

For a fun twist on a sundae, use freeze dried gummies as a topping in lieu of traditional sprinkles or nuts. Depending on storage, some freeze dried gummies may be prone to absorbing ambient moisture, which could cause them to lose their signature crunch. Serve them atop ice cream as soon as the container is opened to ensure they still have their crispy bite when paired with the cold creamy scoops.

In Trail Mixes

Bring along lightweight but satisfying trail mix featuring freeze dried fruit, nuts, seeds and of course freeze dried gummy candy to munch whenever hunger strikes on the trail. Not only do the freeze dried gummies add a sweet touch, their low moisture and imperviousness to heat makes them the perfect hiking companion that maintains freshness all day long while out in the elements.

Storing Freeze Dried Gummies

While freeze dried gummies have an impressive shelf stable shelf life compared to their non-dried counterparts, a few storage tips will help them maintain ultimate freshness and that signature crunch:

• Store unopened freeze dried gummies in a cool, dark place like the pantry.
• Once opened, keep leftovers in an airtight container or resealable bag.
• To limit moisture absorption which leads to softening, use up opened freeze dried gummies within a couple weeks.
• Properly stored, unopened freeze dried gummies can last around 25 years.

Freeze Drying Your Own Gummies

While specialty online retailers offer everything from freeze dried Skittles to sour rainbow strips, you can also use a quality home freeze dryer to create your own custom crispy creations. Opt for a large-capacity machine like the Harvest Right Freeze Dryer which allows batch processing of gummies and other snacks in bulk. Precut gummies before loading them into the drying trays to expedite the process.

Set the appliance's timer based on the size and density of the gummies to completely and uniformly dry all pieces. Smaller gummies may only take 18-24 hours while large gumdrops can take up to 32 hours. Playing around with your favorite candy brands to see how they transform is half the fun!

Freeze dried gummies make for a tasty sweet treat with a satisfying crunch in every bite. Their low moisture and sugar content makes them a more shelf stable and healthier alternative perfect for stashing in emergency kits or enjoying as a crisp, flavorful snack. Be prepared and stock up on these iconic candies in their dried form so you can enjoy their long-lasting yumminess for years to come.

FAQs

What's the shelf life of freeze dried gummies?

Unopened pouches of freeze dried gummies can last up to 25 years if stored properly in a cool, dark place. Once opened, they will maintain optimum flavor and texture quality for a couple weeks.

Can freeze dried gummies go bad eventually?

Yes, though freeze dried gummies will typically last decades if you follow the guidelines for proper storage such as in a sealed container in a cool, dry place without extreme temperature fluctuations. Direct light, heat, moisture exposure or drastic temperature swings can cause freeze dried gummies to degrade and lose crispness.

Why do freeze dried gummies last so long?

The freeze drying process removes nearly all moisture from the gummies, dropping their water content to 1-2%. This lack of moisture prevents microbial growth which leads to spoilage in food. The airtight package and cool storage conditions further inhibit spoilage enzymes to provide an exceptionally long shelf life.

How are freeze dried gummies made?

The candies are flash frozen, then carefully heated in a vacuum chamber to remove nearly all moisture content through a process called lyophilization. This preserves the gummies' color, flavor, and shape while transforming them into lightweight and crispy non-perishable snacks.